If the recent history of ice cream in Toronto has taught us anything, it's that cool-looking soft serve is our city's Yeezy Boosts: expensive, highly photogenic, and well worth waiting in line for.

So, you might want to bring comfortable shoes to the CNE this year, because summer 2017's hottest international dessert trend is waiting for you on the midway. Make sure your phone is charged.

A post shared by dominiqueansel (@dominiqueansel) on Jun 28, 2017 at 7:07am PDT

The "What-A-Melon," invented by pastry pioneer Dominique Ansel of Cronut fame, is like summer meets sugar on steroids: A juicy watermelon slice filled with watermelon-flavoured soft serve, topped with chocolate "seeds."

Up until last month, you could only buy them at one of Ansel's stores in Tokyo. The response in Japan was so great that the world famous chef decided to bring his treats to Manhattan for a limited time, over the 4th of July weekend.

The lineups for that pop-up were long, and the Instagram posts were plenty. In just a few days, a food fad was born. And now it's hit Toronto.

Sort of.

You can buy watermelon slices filled with ice cream at the CNE this year, but they're not exactly as pictured.

The watermelon soft-serve snacks being sold at the CNE bear the same name as Ansel's creation, but they're not the same ones being served in Tokyo or New York.

A post shared by 📍Toronto x Markham x GTA (@cfooodie) on Aug 22, 2017 at 7:06pm PDT

The CNE stand selling What-a-Melon does not appear to be licensed by Ansel,  and the product, while similar, lacks some of the pastry chef's... polish.

A post shared by Toronto Eatings (@torontoeatings) on Aug 19, 2017 at 8:26pm PDT

If you want to try it for yourself, the CNE's What-A-Melon will set you back about $10 – and potentially some time in line that could be spent on rides.

Did you know that Toronto has a namesake cocktail? Don't feel bad if you answered no — beyond the city's bartenders, few people have heard of our signature drink, let alone tried it.

Perhaps it's the result of local modesty, but you just don't hear much about the Toronto cocktail, despite the fact that it's been around for at least a century and rivals some of its more famous companions like the Manhattan and the Singapore Sling. 

That's a shame because it's a fantastic drink. 

The origins of the cocktail are a bit murky, but its earliest mention seems to be in the 1922 publication of Cocktails and How To Mix Themby Robert Vermeire. He refers to it as a Fernet Cocktail and notes that "this cocktail is much appreciated by the Canadians of Toronto."

His recipe calls for "cognac or rye whiskey, Fernet, gum syrup or sugar, and Angostura bitters, with a lemon peel garnish."

A post shared by Fernet-Branca (@fernetbranca) on Apr 29, 2016 at 5:48pm PDT

By the time David Embury's The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks came out in 1948, the cognac was replaced with Canadian whisky and the generic name gave way to the Toronto. Today you'll also see the drink made with rye, though the basic recipe has remained unchanged.

There's speculation that the cocktail originated in Toronto during the pre-Prohibition era (i.e. prior to 1916) when the city's Italian population was on the rise. They would have brought the fragrant and bitter Fernet Branca with them, so the theory goes. 

Truth be told, no one knows for sure where or when the Toronto was born, but it's certainly plausible that the city's early Italian immigrants mixed the potent amaro they brought to Canada with the whisky being churned out at the Gooderham & Worts distillery. 

If you're looking to try one today, you'll find it on a few cocktail lists around the city. Mulberry Bar makes a fantastic Toronto, ditto for Rush Lane, and Chantecler. Cellar Door also makes a version called the New Toronto, which is a riff on the restaurant's location. 

For those experimenting at home, here's the recipe:

• 2 oz. Canadian whisky or rye
• 1/4 oz. Fernet Branca
• 1/4 oz. simple syrup
• 2 dashes of Angostura bitters
• Garnish with an orange peel

The coziest bars in Toronto are kind of like a second home for many. They're small spots where you can hang out with a friend or all by your lonesome and secretly listen to what the table next to you is saying. Dim lighting, warm decor, charm and a solid cocktail menu also help. 

Here are my picks for the coziest bars in Toronto.

Cocktail Bar

This tiny space balances a laid back vibe with sophisticated, upscale mixology. The Dundas West bar is small enough that a seat at the bar is an optimal choice, and you might find yourself wanting to cozy up near the service staff to inquire about the made-in-house ingredients and techniques on the cocktail menu.

Poetry Jazz Cafe

Dim lighting, jazz music, comfy chairs and an altogether laid back, vintage atmosphere are the details that make this slightly hidden bar in Kensington Market stand out. It all feels very New York speakeasy.

The Shameful Tiki

What makes this one of the coziest bars in Parkdale? It's definitely the seating, the ultra dim lighting, and the warm, tropical feel of the music and decor. 

The Walton

Sitting pretty on College Street is this quaint, Scandinavian-feeling bar with charming staff, fixture  and decorations. It feels fresh, airy, but private and secretive, despite being on one of the busiest bar-crawl streets in the city. 

Inter Steer

The lighting is always dim, the service is always sweet and the tables encourage closeup sitting at this Roncesvalles watering hole. There's also floor to ceiling wood paneling, classic drinks, perogies and a juke box that'll make it easy to tuck yourself away into a booth and hang the night away.  

The Gaslight

The owners of the Communist Daughter and the County General blended the best of both worlds in this spot in the Junction Triangle. The church pew seating and low tables invite guests to huddle together for some quiet, intimate conversations.

Hole in the Wall 

This narrow stretch of a bar in the Junction is exactly what it's named after. Though, this is a hole you'll definitely want to burrow in for a while with a well-made cocktail and curated music (sometimes live). 

Mulberry Bar

This adorable Bloorcourt nook comes to us from the folks behind the popular coffee-by-day, cocktails-by-night spot Northwood. You'll feel like you're tucked away in a little bar in the South of France sipping on expertly made cocktails. 

The Comrade

This Riverside joint is a longstanding hangout and watering hole that also happens to serve up some of the most amazing food in its neighbourhood. There's a Britsh hunters lodge feeling to the place with lots of exposed brick and  taxidermy.

The Cavern Bar

The thought of a bar inside a hostel sounds less "cozy night out" and more "$10 for multi-shot drinks in a jug." Luckily, the Hostelling International in-house bar in King East does offer both, living up to its name with low, sloping exposed-brick walls and long communal tables.

Some of Toronto's busiest subway stations will soon be modernized as the TTC continues its Presto roll out across the system. While the paddle-style fare gates have already been installed at 44 stations, right now there remain 25 stations and 50 entrances that still rely on old school turnstiles.

For the remainder of the year, the TTC will focus on installing the new gates at these stations, many of which are from the early years of the subway in Toronto. 

The higher the traffic at a given station, the greater the benefit of the new fare gates to the flow of passengers in and out. When it's all said and done, the TTC will eventually do away with fare collectors altogether in favour of roaming customer service agents.

The bad news is that the installation of the new fare gates is going to result in some weekend and evening closures at downtown stations where there's not as much physical space to move riders during construction. 

All told, eight stations will be subject to a variety of closures to accommodate the modernization efforts. 

Dundas Station:
11 p.m. nightly, Sept. 10 to 14
Weekend closure from 11 p.m. Sept. 15 until 6 a.m. Sept. 18  
11 p.m. nightly, from Sept. 18 until the middle of October

King Station:
10 p.m. nightly, Sept. 19 to 23

Queen Station:
11 p.m. nightly, Oct. 18 and 19
Weekend closure from 11 p.m. Oct. 20 until 6 a.m. Oct. 23
11 p.m. nightly, Oct. 23 until the end of November

Museum Station:
10 p.m. nightly, Nov. 1-2 and 6-7

St Andrew Station:
Weekend closure from 10 p.m. Nov. 10 until 6 a.m. Nov. 13

College Station:
10 p.m. nightly, Nov. 14 to 16, and Nov. 20

Osgoode Station:
Weekend closure from 10 p.m. Nov. 17 until 6 a.m. Nov. 20

Queen's Park Station:
10 p.m. nightly, Dec. 6-7 and Dec. 11-12

New Presto fare gates might not be something to get wildly excited about, but it's all part of the TTC's ongoing quest to bring our transit system into the 21st century. The final fare gate roll out also signals that the system is creeping closer to full Presto capability. 

You can get a head start on TIFF today in Toronto with its outdoor screenings in collaboration with the City and Park People. A series of classic Canadian short films will be shown under the stars in Bellwoods. Mariah Carey is also in town, there's a Lady Gaga play, and it's the final ArtSpin of the season. 

Everybody likes to make their own choices going through TIFF's exhaustive options, but sometimes a little help from the experts can go a long way. So, I asked TIFF's programmers to share what films they selected you just cant't miss. 

Here are must-see films at TIFF 2017, according to its programmers.

Thom Powers (International Documentary)

Jane

Filmmaker Brett Morgen got access to over 140 hours of 16mm footage of Jane Goodall in her 20s as she was conducting her earliest research into chimpanzees in Tanzania. With a new score by Philip Glass, the film is an emotional journey that will leave a lasting impression.

One of Us

Oscar nominated directors Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady craft this film almost like a thriller involving New York’s Hasidim community. They follow three members who are looking to break away from their family’s strict codes into a more secular life.

Sammy Davis Jr: I Gotta Be Me

Director Sam Pollard has a deep history covering African-American topics from his work as a director on Eyes on the Prize II to editing and producing for Spike Lee. Now he explores the complicated life of entertainer Sammy Davis Jr..

Jane Schoettle (International Programmer)

Who We Are Now

The latest film from Australian/American filmmaker Matthew Newton. Fuelled by very strong performances from Julianne Nicholson and Jimmy Smits, this lean, taut drama focuses on a singular woman who struggles to ensure that her troubled past does not shape her uncertain future.

Breath

Australian actor Simon Baker (TV's The Mentalist) makes his film directorial debut in this adaptation of Tim Winton's acclaimed novel. A gorgeously shot film - equally on land as in the ocean - about a teenage boy who trains to be a surfer under the wing of a former pro (played by Baker).

Foxtrot

Israeli writer-director Samuel Maoz follows up his critically lauded first feature Lebanon with this moving and critical reflection on military culture, as a family begins to face the fact that something may have happened to their son while in the line of duty.

Peter Kuplowsky (Midnight Madness Programmer)

Bodied

A mic-drop of a movie from music video auteur Joseph Kahn that will cement him as one of pop culture's most potent and controversial satirists. Written in collaboration with Toronto battle-rapper Alex Larsen (Kid Twist), the film irreverently, yet critically discusses race relations within the context of a California battle rap community. 

Great Choice

Midnighters cannot afford to miss Robin Comisar's Great Choice, which absurdly and nightmarishly concerns Carrie Coon getting trapped in a Red Lobster commercial. This will blow the roof off the Ryerson Theatre before a screening of Brian Taylor's equally bonkers Mom and Dad.

Revenge

Raw was one the most talked about Midnight films last year and I expect similar excitement to be stirred up following the white-knuckle and viscously violent climax of Coralie Fargeat's debut feature. The film compellingly scrutinizes and exposes male entitlement, while transforming Matilda Lutz (Rings) into a hardened vehicle of vengeance.

Magali Simard (Senior Manager, Theatrical Programming)

A Worthy Companion

This psychological thriller is one of complex characters looking for love in all the wrong places. It’s a story of mutual attraction that turns into obsession between the two women, and the careful morphing of the power play between all implicated characters is impressive. 

AVA

Canadian-Iranian director Sadaf Foroughi's film is bound to become one of the most acclaimed features coming out of our country. Set in Theran, it follows Ava, a young woman whose ultra-disciplined life and controlling parents and environment bring her on the brink of breakdown. 

Cardinals

Ten minutes in and we knew we wanted this film. Cardinals is the wisely built psychological suspense about a convicted woman’s return to her community following years of incarceration after killing a man while drinking and driving. The deceased man’s son immediately takes her to task: was his dad’s death truly an accident?  

Kerri Craddock (Director of Programming)

The Seen and Unseen

A heartwarming and heartbreaking story of a twin boy and girl growing up in the Indonesian countryside, separated by an illness but brought together by the world of dreams.

Stronger

David Gordon Green and Jake Gyllenhaal bring real-life hero and Boston Marathon bombing survivor, Jeff Bauman's, story to the screen with vivid, intelligent direction and a powerfully emotive lead performance in Stronger.

Unicorn Store

Oscar winning actress turned director Brie Larson, is sure to delight audiences with her charming and intelligent debut feature . Not only does she give a voice to unicorns and glitter, but most importantly, to young women struggling to find a space for themselves in today's world.

Giovanna Fulvi (International Programmer)

Angels Wear White

The second feature from Vivian Qu whisks us away to a sleepy seaside town where tranquility is torn asunder by a terrible crime. Bold, powerful and dangerous, Angels Wear White is a modern noir focused on complex female characters. Qu's filmmaking is not to be missed. 

Dragonfly Eyes

Made from surveillance camera recordings, this film elides the distinction between fiction and documentary. No actors, no cameramen or production designers have contributed to the making of this movie, but millions of people obliviously walking in front of security cameras have lent mundane, triumphant or tragic moments of their lives to its creation.

Youth

Director Feng Xiaogang’s follow-up to I Am Madame Bovary is a sweeping marvel. Brutal and tender, teeming with characters and history while also deeply intimate and personal, Youth takes us back to the 1970s to find a country and its young people at a point of great tumult and transition.

Danis Goulet (Short Cuts Programmer)

Bird

Renowned Canadian actor Molly Parker (House of Cards, Deadwood) makes a remarkably assured and stellar directorial debut that stars the equally amazing Amanda Plummer as a woman whose beloved pet makes the kind of the escape that she herself longs for.

An Imagined Conversation: Kanye West and Stephen Hawking

In this wickedly dark alt-memoir from animator Sol Friedman, West and Hawking have a picnic and chat about quantum mechanics, the coded language of the universe and personal insecurities (hint: Kanye’s might have something to do with Drake).

The Drop In

What starts as a quietly mysterious drama by Naledi Jackson deftly morphs into a fiercely bad-ass sci-fi immigration thriller starring two dynamic women. A Toronto hair salon story like this has never been seen before and was one of this year’s most exciting discoveries.

Toronto restaurant openings highlights the latest restaurant openings and closings in Toronto and also gives a preview of what's coming soon. Find us here every Thursday morning.

Open now

• Riverside's Sugar Loaf has opened a second location, this time at 1062 Gerrard St. E. (at Jones) in Leslieville.
• Kellys Landing is now open at 123 Front St. W.

Recently reviewed

• The Fix Ice Cream Bar
• PanPan Noodle Bar
• Sud Forno (Yonge)
• Goose Island Toronto
• The Anne Boleyn
• Zav Coffee Shop & Gallery
• Pablo Cheese Tart Toronto
• Icha Tea

Opening soon

• A second location of Lambretta Pizzeria will replace what was previously the Leslieville location of Skwish at 1192 Queen St. E.
• New boutique hotel Anndore House that's set to open in November will house Mediterranean restaurant Constantine and casual cafe Scarlet Door, both helmed by chef Craig Harding (La Palma, Campagnolo), at 15 Charles St. E.
• The Gyro Bar that recently opened on Broadview near the Danforth is taking over yet another former Eggsmart location at 1647 Queen St. W. at Roncesvalles in Parkdale.
• Taiwanese bubble tea cafe The Alley is expanding with two more locations – one will soon open at 5 St. Joseph St. downtown by Yonge & Wellesley and the other at 3260 Midland Ave. in Scarborough.

Closed

• Toronto brunch mainstay Edward Levesque has closed his kitchen after 16 years in Leslieville.
• Pho Ai My has shuttered in Chinatown.
• Northern Chinese Cuisine is no more in Little Italy.
• Al Amana Meat Market didn't last long.

Other news

• The AGO’s Frank Restaurant has changed names and re-branded itself as AGO Bistro.
• Lady Marmalade is leaving its popular Leslieville location for new digs on Broadview Ave. in East Chinatown.

Have you seen restaurants opening or closing in your neighbourhood? Email tips to editors@blogto.com

"Um, Excuse me? Could I please get a straw?... Hello?"

It's a question that bartenders know well, and it can usually be answered by pointing in the direction of a cup filled with little plastic straws.

But if you're in an establishment that takes conservation seriously, as more and more places are pledging to do, you'll simply get a "no."

Great to see last night. My local @theactresspub is taking action on #straws. Do your bit & #refusethestraw! @mcsuk#marineplastics@wwf_ukpic.twitter.com/rwmscvxhwQ

— Alex Gerard (@sharklore) August 11, 2017

The anti-straw movement has been spreading across restaurants and bars around the world since at least 2015, when marine researchers shared disturbing footage of a sea turtle with a plastic straw lodged up its nose on YouTube.

"This video shows why plastic trash is detrimental to marine life," reads the video's description, "and why especially plastic straws are one of the most superfluous items made out of plastic... Say 'NO' to plastic straws, and any kind of one-time use plastic items!"

Since the clip went viral, conservationists and concerned business owners alike have been using hashtags like #StrawsSuck, #StrawsAreForSuckers and #RefuseTheStraw to spread the same message.

Do you know people who are still using #plasticstraws? Show them this @strawsfilm and ask them to #StopSucking - https://t.co/2564azYGlHpic.twitter.com/d7tV6vXbOq

— Plastic Soup (@plasticsoupfoun) August 17, 2017

At least two popular bars in downtown Toronto – The Dakota Tavern and The Gift Shop Cocktail Bar – have vocally joined the anti-straw movement, along with dozens of pubs and clubs in The U.K.

CBC Toronto reports that Gift Shop now offers biodegradable straws to customers, and only if they ask for one. The Dakota Tavern stopped handing out straws altogether a few months ago, and has now placed a colourful "Straws Suck" sign behind the bar.

@Westin staying at the castle in Toronto. Please stop serving #straws in your #water glasses. It's completely unnecessary. Thanks! pic.twitter.com/nLZTtt3u7Q

— Anne Carpenter (@GeTAnneC) August 4, 2017

Toronto Twitter users have also praised spots like Clinton's Tavern for taking a stand against plastic waste. Conversely, some people have called local establishments out on Twitter for not ditching plastic straws.

Union Station has been under construction for what seems like an eternity, but we should soon enjoy the (cold-pressed) fruits (and biscotti, and pierogis, and pasta...) of this labour, hopefully by next year (fingers crossed.)

An updated list of food retailers on Union Station's Eat + Shop site shows a whole host of new vendors that are set to be part of the station's "curated fresh market and food court," including Danish Pastry House, Union Chicken and a Loaded Pierogi.

Coming soon to the Front Street Promenade section are Biscotteria by Forno Cultura, another Pilot Coffee location and Greenhouse Juice.

The York Street Promenade will be home to Union Chicken along with a pasta bar called Amano, and the food court section will have stalls by Roywoods, Calgary-import Bangkok Buri, and dumpling purveyor Shanghai 360°.

You can see the full list of future additions now on Union Station's website.

The 2017 TIFF celebrity lineup just got another boost thanks to the addition of Lady Gaga today.

The pop superstar will already be in Toronto on September 6 and 7 for her Joanne World Tour at the ACC, but will stick around another night for an intimate performance after the screening of Gaga: Five Foot Two.

A post shared by xoxo, Gaga (@ladygaga) on Aug 24, 2017 at 7:00am PDT

The documentary produced for Netflix is making its world debut at the festival and follows Gaga over eight months, capturing her personal life during the making of her last album.

It's being billed as an all-access pass into her life, unlike the Grace Jones doc also premiering at the fest, which is less of a traditional music doc. 

Directed by filmmaker Chris Moukarbel, the doc screens at the Princess of Wales Theatre on Friday, September 8. Tickets for this year's festival go on sale September 4. 

Toronto house prices have driven people to snatch up real estate outside of the city for decades now, but even as the market seems in the midst of a correction, the cost of housing in the GTA is remarkably high.

To paint this picture in practical terms, the folks at Zoocasa have put together a map of Toronto area house prices tracked by GO Transit station. For prospective buyers, the results are at least a bit scary, but there might be room for some cautious optimism.

A quick scan of the map reveals that there are certainly a few stops out there that feature more reasonable prices. These are places like Malton ($363,774), Cooksville ($399,380), Bramalea ($402,483), Dixie ($417,685), Oakville ($501,383) and Streetsville ($545,450), all of which are less than 45 minutes from Toronto.

Meanwhile luxury areas like the one around Centennial Station ($1,601,444), King City ($1,529,078), and Old Cummer ($1,318,447) demonstrate that there are plenty of spots away from the core that are well beyond the point affordability as well. 

In fact, what's probably most noteworthy about this map is just how many areas around GO stations outside of the city feature average house prices above the affordability limit of $545,692 based on an average household income of $78,280 (via Stats Canada in 2015). 

That makes the suburban dream seem a bit more like a nightmare.

Road closures will be rolled out across Toronto on Saturday and Sunday thanks to events like the Toronto Tamil Festival, Bloorcourt Arts and Crafts Fair, Leslieville Beerfest and Pedestrian Sunday in Kensington Market.

Here's what you need to know to navigate the city this weekend.

Toronto Tamil Festival

Markham Road between McNicoll Avenue and Passmore Avenue will be closed in both directions from Saturday, August 26 at 12:01 a.m. to Monday, August 28 at 5 a.m.

There's minimal parking in the area and attendees should be aware that cars parked illegally on private property are likely to be tagged and towed.

Use of public transit is encouraged, although 102B, 102C and 102D Markham Road bus service will be diverting in the vicinity of the festival.

Bloorcourt Arts and Crafts Fair 

Bloor Street West between Dufferin Street and Montrose Avenue will be closed in both directions on Saturday, August 26 from 7 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. for the fair.

Dovercourt Road and Ossington Avenue will be open to vehicular traffic. The TTC’s 161 Rogers Road bus in both directions will divert via Dupont Street and Ossington Avenue.

Leslieville Beerfest 

Dundas Street East between Logan Avenue and Carlaw Avenue will be closed in both directions on Saturday, August 26 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. for the beer festival.

Pedestrian Sunday

Being the last Sunday of the month, Kensington Market will be closed to vehicular traffic between 12 p.m. and 7 p.m. for car free day.

TTC Subway Closures

In addition to road closures, this weekend will have multiple TTC subway closures. 

There will be no subway service between St. George and Broadview stations on August 26 due to bridge work on the Prince Edward Viaduct. 

There will also be no subway service on Line 3 between McCowan and Kennedy stations on August 27 due to life extension, track, and infrastructure work.

Shuttle buses will operate between these stations during the closures.

The Ex hosts their annual Parking Lot Frenzy all weekend long at the CNE alongside a Craft Beer Fest. There's also huge beer, bourbon and BBQ party at Ontario Place, a cider festival, and two-nights of Bruno Mars to help swoop you back into Monday.

Have you ever walked by those guys who wear t-shirts with big, red and black red "no guns" symbols across their chest?

They hang out in busy public spaces downtown, usually on sidewalks where there's lots of foot traffic like Yonge-Dundas Square, University Avenue and in front of other tourist attractions.

You can buy their t-shirts for $25, they don't have a website but do take debit, and one of the finely-dressed men always seems to be wearing a bluetooth headset.

Let's take it to the next level Silence the Violence and Shun the Guns https://t.co/nkVjMuBCDRpic.twitter.com/07NYkVAZBA

— LACH online (@lachonline) December 21, 2016

What's up with these guys?

Like some others in the city, I wanted to learn more. So, when I spotted them recently I decided to ask them what they're up to.

This is what I found out.

Their product line is called "Silence the Violence and Shun the Guns"

You can see this brand name written on everything they sell, from mugs and silicon bracelets to the shirts they're known for.

The gentlemen selling these items have shirts that say "VOLUNTEER" atop of a giant "no" symbol with the silhouette of either a gun or the worlds "female violence" inside. Customers can buy the exact same shirts, but with the words "I SUPPORT" on them instead of volunteer.

They're not working for a charity

Signs set up next to their anti-gun wares say "How can you help reduce youth gangs and gun violence? Education and mentorship. Buy our items to make a difference!"

When asked how buying the shirts will help youth, they told me the group is an NGO formed in 2011 to prevent at-risk youth from being recruited into gangs. 

They told me they cannot issue tax receipts for purchases or donations, however, because they are an NGO, not a charity.

Under Canadian law, an NGO is only defined as an "organization that is independent from any government," including for-profit companies.

They're part of a larger publishing and advocacy group

The anti-violence initiative is actually run by an organization called Learning About Publications, which also distributes booklets about black heroes, Canadian history, sports and more in downtown Toronto, according to its Facebook page.

This month is Caribana history and Ultimate fighters editions! pic.twitter.com/WXvvDyAw2f

— LABH online (@labhonline) August 1, 2017

The page explains that while LAP is a for-profit company, "part of your contribution will be allocated to the Silence the Violence and Shun the Guns initiative."

Representatives from LAP, which also appears around the web as LACH (Learning About Canadian Heroes) and LABH (Learning About Black History), also appear to participate in community initiatives and local activism, as evidenced by the group's petition to see complete and accurate black and aboriginal history taught in all schools.

Some Torontonians are skeptical about their legitimacy 

A number of posts on Reddit warn others to stay away from the anti-gun shirt sellers, calling their business a "scam."

"If you see someone wearing a t-shirt with a pistol and a circle/red mark across the centre, just stay away. Its not for a good cause, it's just the same scam with a new flag," wrote someone in a thread called "PSA: Black History scammers have a new look (Anti Gun Violence)."

LAP's exclusive sponsor, Negotiate on Demand, has a message posted on Facebook explicitly to let consumers know they are not associated with other Black History publications sold downtown.

"We at N.O.D. would like to take this opportunity to correct those who may mistake N.O.D. to be associated with other men who have been distributing for many years their version of a Black History publication in Toronto," it reads. "We are not associated with any of these organizations in any way. We operate independently."

There's not much to be found on any of these groups outside of social media, event listings, and a website that is currently unavailable.

One of the men I spoke to told me that this is because their anti-violence initiative is "in the final stages of branding."

A more detailed explanation of how the program intends to be working when all is up and running can be found on Facebook.

"We plan to recruit all at-risk youth into mentorship before they get recruited into gangs therefore, methodically reducing the gang population," the company's overview page explains.

"By purchasing every month one or several of the 40+ editions from our growing catalogue, you are supporting a winnable cause."

Fans of the IMAX movie experience in Toronto have reason to be excited today with the announcement that Cineplex will open a new auditorium in the city this fall. Scheduled to debut in November, the new IMAX theatre will be located at Cineplex's Eglinton Town Centre Cinemas.

It's fitting that Toronto would receive another IMAX screen, given that we're the birthplace of these theatres with the opening of the Cinesphere at Ontario Place way back in 1971.

While the brand has risen to prominence across the globe, Toronto only has a handful of cinemas that offer the experience. And while the new auditorium will be digital IMAX rather than 15/70 mm, it's still an upgrade over a conventional theatre experience.

In addition to the new auditorium, Toronto will also play host to Canada’s first IMAX VR Centre at the Scotiabank Theatre. The existing box office on the ground level will be moved upstairs to accommodate this new gaming hub, which will feature individual pods heightened player mobility.

The VR Centre is also slated to open sometime this fall. 

True to his moniker, Joey Bada$$ laughs in the face of ophthalmological health, and he doesn't care who knows it.

The American rapper and actor announced on Wednesday that he had cancelled three of his upcoming shows on Logic's Everybody Tour – including the Toronto stop – due to "unforeseen circumstances."

Due to unforeseen circumstances, my Cleveland, Chicago & Toronto shows on the #EverybodyTour are cancelled.

— BADMON (@joeyBADASS) August 22, 2017

It wasn't lost on fans that this abrupt cancellation came just one day after Bada$$ had publicly bragged about staring into the sun during Monday's eclipse.

"Am I crazy for watching the eclipse today w no glasses? I've sungazed before and afterwards saw colours for a whole day," he wrote on Twitter.

"This ain't the first solar eclipse and I'm pretty sure our ancestors ain't have no fancy eyewear. Also pretty sure they ain't all go blind."

Am I crazy for watching the eclipse today w no glasses? I've sungazed before and afterwards saw colors for a whole day. I didn't die tho

— BADMON (@joeyBADASS) August 21, 2017

When the 22-year-old entertainer broke the news that his Cleveland, Chicago and Toronto shows were being cancelled, speculation over his vision being impaired started immediately.

"'Unforeseen' because you can't see anymore? I'm pretty sure the rest of us all saw this coming," replied one fan on Twitter.

"Joey Badeyes?" wrote another. One follower replied with "All-Amerikkkan Blinda$$," playing on the title of his latest album.

pic.twitter.com/Z6SQevjw0U

— Mac Faulkner (@macfaulkner) August 23, 2017

Bada$$ himself later hinted that the rumours were true, tweeting "Seeing double, stacking triple."

He's since been retweeting news articles about his alleged eclipse hangover, and has not denied that this is why his shows were cancelled.

Ironically, the rapper also recently dropped a new video for his song 'Temptation.' Maybe he'll resist his the next time NASA tells him not to look up.

Have you ever wondered what the offices of some of Toronto's top employers look like? Now you can actually go inside and check them out thanks to a festival called NewCo.

Taking place this September, the festival lets you go inside the offices of companies like AirBnB, Google, Hubba, CIBC Live Labs, Shopify, Wattpad and more. It's a chance to check out the office space and also meet some of the founders and CEO's of the businesses you'll be invading.

At each office, someone will be giving a presentation so it's an opportunity to learn something new but also to network or job hunt if you're into that sort of thing.

Tickets are currently on sale and start at $75 for unlimited office visits and meetups, although organizers say that you probably can't fit in more than five. It all goes down on September 14 although you can also pony up for a gala reception the day before.

Today I learned that "crème brûlée" isn't the only flavour of crème brûlée.

A new dessert cafe is set to open in Toronto this weekend, bringing with it everything from home-made ice cream and Liège waffles to adorable hand-crafted macarons.

At its core though, this is a shop that does crème brûlée unlike anyone else in the city.

Toronto's first gourmet crème brûlée cafe will have 13 flavours on the menu to start.   

Craque De Creme, which opens with a soft launch at Bathurst and St. Clair this Friday, will have 13 different types of gourmet crème brûlée on the menu – three of them alcoholic and one of them vegan.

If flavours like "honey lavender," "bourbon butterscotch" and "Pandan Coconut" pique your interest, you can taste them for yourself at the soft opening on Aug. 25.

We are almost ready to open! Opening date would be this Friday. August 25 and would be a soft opening! 8-11am and then 3-10pm see you soon! 😀😋

A post shared by [ We're Sweet On You ]™ (@craquedecreme) on Aug 21, 2017 at 11:15am PDT

Toronto is filled with thousands of soft loft-style condos that generally lack any character whatsoever, but there are those diamonds in the rough that find a nice balance between an industrial finish and modern amenities. This unit at 66 Portland St. fit that bill.

Last we got a peek inside this building, it was at a sprawling penthouse suite with an unreal private deck that featured an outdoor kitchen and infinity pool. That unit clocked in at just under $5 million, so its intriguing to see how much different a place is that's about $4 million less expensive.

It's certainly not as over-the-top as the its penthouse companion, but I have to say this is one of the nicer $1 million downtown condos I've seen lately. I'm not a fan of how the en suite juts into the master bedroom like a toll booth, but aside from that, it's quite well designed.

The feature that really makes this condo stick out is the wrap around balcony. I mean that's a ton of outdoor space for a condo of this size, offering a variety of different vantage points on the skyline. I could easily imagine spending a summer lounging here.

Specs

• Address: #701 - 66 Portland St.
• Price: $979,900
• Bedrooms: 2
• Bathrooms: 2
• Parking: 1
• Walk Score: 97
• Transit Score: 100
• Maintenance Fees: $542.15
• Listing agent: Stephanie Anne Nelwands
• Listing ID: C3906698

Good For

This is a versatile condo that would suit singles and small families alike given the two bedrooms and office setup. It's also just showy enough to suit a consummate entertainer who likes to host dinner and cocktail parties.

Move On If 

You want something more cozy. There's a lot of concrete and glass here, and that won't suit everybody.

Thanks to Bosley Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage for sponsoring our condo of the week. All editorial written and selected by blogTO.

A new bike lane on Woodbine Avenue that will run north-south between The Danforth and Lake Shore Boulevard is getting blowback from some residents.

The outrage is part of a long controversial history surrounding nearly every attempt to make Toronto more bike-friendly.

Bike lanes were just installed north of the Danforth up to O'Connor last week.

Note that there were no complaints last week about the Woodbine bike lanes under construction North of Danforth where the poorer kids live.

— Rob Russell (@www_ora_tion_ca) August 25, 2017

Local resident Kathy Blewett told the CBC that she's worried the bike lanes will increase traffic congestion and drivers will resort to using side streets.

Her concerns were echoed by Tyler Wigg-Stevenson who feels increased side street traffic in a neighbourhood full of young children could put their safety at risk.

Similar debates have raged across Toronto's neighbourhoods, usually citing reasons surrounding traffic congestion. It wasn't long ago the late Mayor Rob Ford waged a campaign against bike lanes by removing the ones on Jarvis Street in 2012.

The launch of the long awaited Bloor Street bike lanes also received pushback, mostly from local business owner citing lost business due to the removal of parking spots.

Both the Bloor and Woodbine lanes are part of a 10-year, multimillion dollar plan to improve Toronto's cycling network.

The route itself will be part of the larger city-wide cycling network, connecting itself to both the extensive waterfront path that runs east-west for nearly the entire city and the more recent Danforth-Bloor bike lanes connecting the better part of the downtown core.

Beaches-East York Councillor Mary-Margaret McMahon says that a new east-side bike lane is necessary to help build connectivity around the city. She says that while other main streets like Coxwell Avenue were surveyed, Woodbine was decided on to best serve the central portion of the east side.

"There was nothing," she told the CBC. "The most easterly bike lane going north and south is at Greenwood. There's nothing east of Greenwood."

Exciting Time!! #Woodbine Bike Lanes are going in! Lucky @Janet_Davis gets her side 1st. #Ward32 next weekend! @Ward32Spokes@CycleTorontopic.twitter.com/UbpciLlESq

— MM McMahon (@mary_margaret32) August 20, 2017

Other residents, like Loreena Voninklianis, are more hopeful that the bike lanes will help keep cyclists safe and that the recently installed speed bumps will deter anyone trying to cut through the side streets.

"We have to work bikes into our society," she said. "Everyone needs to stay safe."